Jerry crowley



(N0 Model.)

J. CROWLEY.

VEHICLE GOUPLING.

Patented Apr. 5, 1898.

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Nrrnn STATES JERRY CROW'LEY, OF COKELEYS, WEST VIRGINIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent No. 601,635, dated April 5, 1898. Application led July 22, 1897. Serial lio. 645,565. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, JERRY CROWLEY, residing at Cokeleys, in the county of VRitchie and State of West Virginia, have invented a new and useful Vehicle-Coupling, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in wagon-couplings, and has for its object to provide one of such character in which the connection between the wagon-body and front axle shall be flexible.

It is well known that in ordinary couplings, in which the king-bolt is projected through both the swinging and fixed holsters, said bolt is frequently bent or broken by reason of insufficient play afforded the bolt when the rear and forward axles are in dierent horizontal planes. This is especially the case in driving over rough roads or in crossing depressions of moderate depth. The strain upon the king-bolt usually bends or breaks it at a point between the holsters, or, if loose, it will be drawn out and the Wagon unconpled. My improved coupling is adapted to remedy these and other objections found in the ordinary coupling and provides a simple, cheap, and thoroughly effective means for securing flexibly the body portion to the fixed bolster of the front axle.

In the drawings herewith, forming part of this specification, in which like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference, Figure lis a perspective view of the forward gear of a wagon equipped with my improved coupling. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the springs, bolsters, and axle upon the line of the king-bolt. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail hereinafter yreferred to. Fig. 4 embraces perspective views of several parts hereinafter explained.

In the drawings herewith, A is the forward axle, B the iixed bolster, and C the swinging bolster.

D is the reach-bar, suitably connected with the upper bolster and further secured by bracesE and E'.

F are the springs, secured upon the upper bolster C by means of the king-bolt G passing therethrough. The upper end of said kin g-bolt is screw-threaded and provided with the usual nut K'. The lower end of the said bolt is enlarged and provided with a convex bearing-head G', adapted to be confined within a bell-shaped recess H upon a plate H', said recess being formed in the upper end of the clip I, which binds the axle K and the lower bolster B together at their longitudinal centers. The ordinary means, consisting of the cross-head K and nuts K', are employed to secure the clip I, the lower ends of the clip being screw-threaded.

The lower section M of the fifth-Wheel is properly secured to or formed integrally with the clips N, which are secured upon the lower bolster and axle in the same manner as the central clip I is secured. The upper section O of the fifth-wheel is bolted to the upper bolster C, and may in addition be bolted to the reach-bar D, if desired.

The parts being constructed as shown, the application and operation of myimproved device is as follows: The king-bolt G is passed upwardly through the aperture in the upper surface of the central clip I until its head G rests within the recess H. The bearing-plate H is then inserted beneath the head G', being held against lateral movement by means of iianges I', depending from the upper surface of the clip I. The bolt is then passed through the brace-plate E', bolster C, springs F, and brace-plate E and the nut K' secured thereon. The lower section M of the fifthwheel being secured by means of clips N the clip I is now secured upon the axle A and bolster B, upon which the coupling is complete. The loose plate E' rests upon the shoulder G2 of the king-bolt G, so as to have no bearing upon the clip I.

My improved device is especially adaptable for light wagons or other vehicles and will allow sufficient play both for the lateral and longitudinal oscillation of the swinging bolster C. The lower enlarged portion of the king-bolt should have sufficient play-room in the opening above the recess H, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2.

My improved device, embracing the central clip I, plate H', king-boltV G, cross-head K, and nuts K', may be manufactured and Vmarketed as Wagon-makers hardware uand may be applied to any light vehicles of ordinary construction.

IOO

Having thus described rny invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by means of Letters Patent, is-

In avehicle-eouplin g, the combination with the axle, the lower bolster, the upper bolster and the spring, of the fifth-wheel, the two plates of which are supported between the upper and lower holsters, the clip I, securing the lower bolster to the axle and provided with a bell-shaped recess and a central Opening in its upper end and with depending flanges I lying transversely upon the upper bolster, a flat plate resting upon the upper bolster and inclosed within the recess in the upper part of the clip, between the anges l', a bolt passing through the upper bolster and the spring and provided with a head at its lower end, with rounded outer surface to rest tially as described.

JERRY CROWLEY. Witnesses:

JOHN STARR, SHERMAN ROBINSON. 

